'Pokémon Horizons: The Series' Sets English Dub Debut On Netflix
The new era of the Pokémon anime has finally set a start date for US audiences
It was just September 8 when The Pokémon Company released the English dub of the To Be A Pokémon Master collection of anime episodes for Pokémon Journeys: The Series on Netflix. These were the final episodes for Ash Ketchum, completing a 25 year journey for the character that really just let the journey continue offscreen with his Pokémon Master goal clearly defined. Now usually, dub episodes arrive on Netflix in batches once every quarter. Except the first batch of episodes for the next series Pokémon Horizons: The Series did not show up on Netflix’s December arrivals (although a different Pokémon series, Pokémon Concierge is set for a release late in the month), and that’s because it’s going to be a bit of a longer wait.
Pokémon rereleased the English trailer for the new series on Wednesday, showing off the early adventures of Liko, Roy, Friede, Captain Pikachu, Dot, and the other Rising Volt Tacklers as they face off against the Explorers. It reveals that this quarter will indeed be taken off, and instead the series will begin on February 23, 2024, just in time for Pokémon Day a few days later. The series was announced in December and premiered in Japan in April. This means a five month wait between To Be A Pokémon Master and about ten months to wait for the same opening episodes of Horizons to be seen in English.
By the time the English dub was previewed at San Diego Comic-Con in July, 14 episodes had aired, and as of this Friday, it will have been another 17. In fact, aside from the definitive release date, this seems to be the exact same trailer that was released then. The Horizons series is in more concise chapters than any previous Pokémon series has, with the first 25 episodes encompassing “Liko and Roy’s Departure” and the current chapter as of writing to be “The Sparkling of Terapagos”. Liko is voiced by Alejandra Reynoso, while Roy is voiced by Anjali Kunapaneni. Daman Mills, who is most known for his dub work at Funimation which has been an accruement of dozens of series, will voice Dot (Nidothing)’s Quaxly and Explorers admin Amethio. Dot herself will be voiced by Faye Mata. Liko’s Sprigatito, who seems to be doing regular meows, will be voiced by Kira Buckland, and Roy’s Fuecoco is voiced by Zeno Robinson, who starred as Goh in Journeys. The very prolific Crispin Freeman steps into the world of Pokémon voicing Friede.
As for other English-speaking territories, the series premieres in the United Kingdom early next month, where it will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Australians will have to wait until February 27 to watch it on 9Go!, while Canadians will have to wait until March 2 for its premiere on either Cartoon Network or Télétoon.
